After more than 15 years of petitioning, and just three weeks ahead of the March 23 election, the Supreme Court of Justice ruled Monday that those who converted to Judaism through Reformation or Conservative changes in Israel is recognized as a Jew by the state.
The court also rules that converts will be allowed to become full citizens of Israel under Return Law.
In its long-awaited decision, the nine-justice panel said the court expected lawyers to follow legislation on the case and to overturn the decision. aca.
“We have stopped managing the issue for the last five years in terms of respect for the respondent. [the state] to pursue legislation to resolve the issue, “Justice Dafna Barak Erez said.
“However, we cannot wait as long as people’s rights hang in the balance and no operational legislation is available. ”
Chief Justice Esther Hayut wrote, “The petitioners came to Israel and went through a process of conversion as part of a recognized Jewish community and asked to enter the Jewish country.” Hayut said, “It is This is a civil matter and not a religious matter. ”
The only dissenting judgment was Justice Noam Sohlberg, who agreed in principle with the decision, but urged him to stay with it until a new government is formed and legislation can be followed. .
The court has been debating the case in one way or another for nearly 15 years, with the State Prosecutor urging the state to draw up a picture for the law, which encourages participation and court disagreement with the Ultra-Orthodox or Diaspora Jewry department.
Earlier in the year, the court ruled that they would no longer suspend ruling on the case.
Arye Deri, the leader of the English ultra-Orthodox party, called the decision “wrong,” arguing that it would cause “controversy and unrest among the people. “
He also promised to change the rule so that “only a change according to Jewish law will be recognized in the State of Israel.”
The two main Israeli rabbits criticized the decision, urging Knesset to pass legislation to repeal it.
“What the Reformation and the Conservatives have done [movements] The term ‘conversion’ is nothing but an evacuation of Judaism and will mean the inclusion of thousands of Gentiles among the people of Israel, ”Sephardi leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau said, “Those who have turned through reform changes and the like are not Jewish. The Supreme Court decision will not change that fact.”